AT&T Denounces Russia's Anti-Gay Oppression, Calls on IOC Sponsors to Do the Same

On Friday night, many of us will be tuned in to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games opening ceremony.

It’s an event that symbolizes peace and unity amongst nations. It’s also a moment for us to express our pride in America and everything for which it stands.

AT&T has stood proudly with Team USA at every Olympic opening ceremony since 1984 in Los Angeles. As a Proud Partner of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Team for the past 30 years, we’ve showcased American athletes and celebrated their diversity all around the world. For these games, we’re shining a light on some of the hard work and dedication that goes into training for the Olympics, and asking fans to showcase their American pride by uploading U-S-A chants through our free #ItsOurTime app.

The Olympic Games in Sochi also allow us to shine a light on a subject that’s important to all Americans: equality. As you may know, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community around the world is protesting a Russian anti-LGBT law that bans “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations.” To raise awareness of the issue, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has called on International Olympic Committee (IOC) sponsors to take action and stand up for LGBT equality.

AT&T is not an IOC sponsor, so we did not receive the HRC request. However, we are a long-standing sponsor of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), we support HRC’s principles and we stand against Russia’s anti-LGBT law.

AT&T has a long and proud history of support for the LGBT community in the United States and everywhere around the world where we do business. We support LGBT equality globally and we condemn violence, discrimination and harassment targeted against LGBT individuals everywhere. Russia’s law is harmful to LGBT individuals and families, and it’s harmful to a diverse society.

We celebrate the diversity of all Olympic athletes, their fans, Russian residents and all people the world over – including and, especially, our employees and their loved ones.

As the games begin, we’re here to support and inspire American athletes who’ve worked hard and sacrificed much to achieve their dreams. We also want to be on record with our support for the LGBT community, and we hope that others involved with the Olympic Games will do the same.

Comments

And that ladies & gentlemen is how its done. With pride, with class, and with honesty!

Posted by: Nemo | Feb 4, 2014 11:32:20 AM

AT&T still sponsor anti-gay Boy Scouts and they have no business in Russia so they have nothing to lose

Posted by: litper | Feb 4, 2014 11:36:25 AM

^^ What Spacecadet & Nemo said!

Pay atention Coke. McDonalds. P&G. SOCHI sponsors.
A corporate policy supporting human rights is shown to be meaningless lip service if you stand on the sidelines and don't speak out when violations occur.

AT&T can forever burn in hell. I don't care if they suddenly hired only gays, gave out free unlimited phone service for life, and solved world famine. They are an a-hole company with horrible business practices that can FTFO.

Posted by: Quicksilver | Feb 4, 2014 11:56:52 AM

Well, all you nay-sayers and haters; at least AT&T has taken a public stand on the issues which is more than some. While they are still not a favorite of mine I think they should get credit when credit is due. Little steps. Thumbs-up for their support in this instance.

Posted by: Alex Parrish | Feb 4, 2014 12:05:48 PM

I plead with all of you to avoid tuning-in to the MSNBC Sochi Olympics. Putin is counting on this controversy to generate as much publicity as he can so you can't resist watching. By doing so you are putting money in his corrupt pocket and condemning the lives of your own Russian gay brothers and sisters. You don't have to be watching MSNBC to know who wins and who doesn't. Russia is sure to walk away with the majority of medals - after all, they are the host and a corrupt host at that. Yes, I will miss seeing Meryl Davis and Charlie White's ice dancing but I'll see it in clips around the internet. Please. Boycott the Sochi Olympics and think of it this way: Those being maimed, beaten and murdered today could very easily be you tomorrow.

Posted by: Mike Ryan | Feb 4, 2014 12:09:42 PM

I guess it took this long for the bandwagon to roll by where AT&T was standing.

Posted by: John Conolley | Feb 4, 2014 12:17:01 PM

Well done AT&T!
I'm still not watching a second of the Killing Games(aka 2014 Olympics)but I appreciate the public stand for freedom and equality. Bravo.
Just read this morning a student killed his teacher and a police officer dead in Moscow.
Russia sounds so SAFE and INVITING I bet everyone can't wait to get there to enjoy it with threats to their very lives at stake.

Posted by: SFshawn | Feb 4, 2014 12:20:51 PM

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Rad | Feb 4, 2014 12:28:53 PM

Well, I do hope this is not something to try to distract from ATT's apparent plans to charge people depending on how they use the internet, the inevitable result of ending Net Neutrality. I hope this is genuine, because money talks to a seemingly, hopelessly, corrupted and greedy IOC.

Posted by: Marksgv | Feb 4, 2014 1:59:11 PM

I didn't watch the Winter Olympics before; I don't plan to start now. If anything interesting happens, I'm sure we can count on Towleroad to report it.

Posted by: Stan D | Feb 4, 2014 2:24:31 PM

this is great, and this is what a strong company does.

Posted by: reality | Feb 4, 2014 4:14:30 PM

While I applaud AT&T, they really have nothing to lose. They're a US telecom provider. Unlike McDonalds and Coke, AT&T has no real presence in Russia. What we needs is for the big companies that DO have a presence in Russia to speak up.

Posted by: Ryan | Feb 4, 2014 4:31:52 PM

This has been called for for MONTHS. Now, with days before the games start, they chime in and call for the others to do the same. Like that's even possible at this late stage?! If they were really going to make a stand and look for others to follow in their steps, this battle cry should have been sounded last summer when there was a chance of corporate pull outs. This wreaks of support purely to gain good standing in the public eye and in now way to inspire other corporate groups.

Posted by: Isaak | Feb 4, 2014 5:57:46 PM

Applause! Applause!

Posted by: TonyJazz | Feb 4, 2014 8:30:16 PM

Thank you AT&T. Positive statements about equality and condemnation of the Russian Anti-LGBT Laws from huge important Corporations like AT&T are extremely important.